Mastering the waterstart is one of the key skills every windsurfer needs to learn to improve their efficiency on the water. It allows you to get back on your board after a fall without having to swim or drag your board to shore. A clean, fast, and smooth waterstart can save time and energy, enabling you to continue your session with minimal interruptions. If you’re struggling to waterstart or want to refine your technique, here’s how to do it like a pro.
1. Understand the Waterstart Basics
The waterstart is a technique used to get back onto your windsurfing board from the water after you’ve fallen off. Instead of swimming to your board or flipping it back over, you will use the wind to help you get up. This requires a combination of proper body positioning, wind power, and coordination with the sail and board.
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Positioning: The key to a successful waterstart is to keep your body close to the board, with your feet positioned near the mast base, and your body aligned with the wind direction.
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Wind: The wind plays an essential role in the waterstart, as you’ll rely on it to lift the sail and help pull you onto the board.
2. Perfect Your Stance in the Water
Your stance is crucial when performing a waterstart. Here’s what you need to do:
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Start by Floating: Once you fall off the board, remain calm, and float. Keep the board perpendicular to the wind, and your body in line with it.
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Grab the Mast: Reach out and grab the mast of the board, keeping the board close to you. The sail should be in the water, and you’ll need to position it so that the wind can catch it and provide you with lift.
3. Position Your Feet Correctly
Getting your feet in the right position is essential to waterstarting like a pro. When you’re in the water, place your feet on the board as follows:
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Place Your Feet on the Windward Side: Position your feet on the windward side of the board, which is the opposite side of where the wind is coming from.
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Set Your Feet Near the Mast Base: Place your feet near the mast base (closer to the middle of the board). This allows you to keep the board balanced as you prepare to stand up.
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Push the Board Flat: As you pull the sail towards you, push your back foot down to level the board. This will prevent the board from flipping and ensure it remains stable.
4. Pull the Sail Into the Wind
At this point, you’re ready to get the wind in the sail. To do this:
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Lift the Sail with One Hand: Begin by pulling the sail gently with one hand to get the wind in the sail. Be sure to keep your body close to the board as you do this.
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Catch the Wind: As the sail fills with wind, it will start to lift you up. Keep the sail at a low angle to catch the wind properly.
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Use the Wind’s Power: The power of the wind will lift you and the board, and the sail will begin to pull you forward. It’s essential to keep your body steady while letting the wind do its work.
5. Begin to Stand Up
Now that the sail has caught the wind, it’s time to stand up. The process requires balance and coordination, so follow these steps:
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Push with Your Back Foot: As you begin to feel the lift, push with your back foot to bring your body into a standing position.
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Pull the Sail Toward You: Simultaneously, pull the sail toward you with both hands to maintain control. You will need to keep the sail as close to you as possible to maintain the wind’s power.
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Keep Your Weight Over the Board: Shift your weight evenly between your feet, with your hips and shoulders aligned with the wind direction. This will help you balance on the board and maintain control as you stand up.
6. Get Your Feet in the Footstraps
Once you’re up and riding, it’s time to get your feet into the footstraps for better control and speed. Here’s how to do it:
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Look for the Footstraps: As soon as you feel comfortable balancing on the board, look for the footstraps with your feet.
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Slide One Foot in First: Start by sliding one foot into the windward footstrap.
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Insert the Other Foot: Once you’re comfortable, slide your other foot into the leeward footstrap (the opposite side of where the wind is coming from). This will help you maintain better control as you begin to ride.
7. Maintain Control and Balance
Once you’ve completed the waterstart and are up and riding, you’ll need to maintain good balance and control to stay on the board. Keep these tips in mind:
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Stay Low: Keep your knees bent and your body low to maintain a stable position. This will give you more control, especially in gusty winds.
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Use the Sail to Steer: The sail plays a vital role in steering. By adjusting the angle of the sail, you can change your direction and speed. Leaning backward or forward also affects your speed and stability.
8. Practice, Practice, Practice
Waterstarting is a skill that takes time to master. The more you practice, the easier and faster it will become. Start in light winds and shallow water, and once you feel confident, you can move to more challenging conditions.
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Work on Consistency: Keep practicing your waterstart until it becomes second nature. As you gain confidence, you’ll be able to perform the waterstart in more challenging conditions.
Conclusion
Waterstarting is an essential skill every windsurfer must learn, and with the right technique, you can do it like a pro. By focusing on proper body positioning, foot placement, sail handling, and balance, you’ll soon be able to get back on your board quickly and efficiently. Remember, it takes practice, but once you master the waterstart, your windsurfing sessions will be smoother and more enjoyable. Keep practicing, stay patient, and you’ll soon be waterstarting with ease!
